The demolition of The Eagle & Tun for HS2 in Eastside

The Eagle & Tun has been on the corner of Banbury Street and New Canal Street since perhaps the middle of the 19th century. Although the building just demolished may have been built at the beginning of the 20th Century from a design by James & Lister Lea. Previously closed down in 2008, reopened in 2016. Closed again in 2020 by HS2 in January, and demolished sadly in October.

The Eagle & Tun was a pub in Digbeth (later Eastside). Close to the viaduct of the West Coast Mainline (also used by the Cross City Line and other routes in and out of Birmingham New Street). It was located on the corner of Banbury Street and New Canal Street. But HS2's plans changed, and it was decided that the pub would have to be demolished.

Originally HS2 had planned to incorporate the pub into the new Curzon Street HS2 Station, but for some reason this changed. This was in 2014, when it was then thought construction on the station would start by 2017 (it didn't).

There has been a pub on this site since at least the late 1850s. The Eagle & Tun originally closed down in 2008, and was derelict for many years. Only to get new landlords in late 2015. It reopened in 2016. Only for HS2 to change their minds again, and the pub closed down by January 2020. By October 2020, demolition was well under way on the pub. It would be gone by the end of the month.

The council had locally listed the pub as Grade B. It never received a Grade II listing from English Heritage (now Historic England).

 

My first photo of The Eagle & Tun, taken during January 2010, from what was then Albert Street. At this point at had been closed for about 2 years.

dndimg alt="Eagle & Tun" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eagle and Tun (Jan 2010).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

I took more photos of The Eagle & Tun back in February 2010. These shots originally came out dark (on my old camera). And I have just fixed them in Photoshop Elements 2020. You can see that a derelict building was still there on Banbury Street next to the pub (it would be demolished within a few years and become a temporary car park).

dndimg alt="Eagle and Tun" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eagle and Tun (Feb 2010) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Eagle and Tun" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eagle and Tun (Feb 2010) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Eagle and Tun" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eagle and Tun (Feb 2010) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Eagle and Tun" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eagle and Tun (Feb 2010) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Eagle and Tun" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eagle and Tun (Feb 2010) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Eagle and Tun" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eagle and Tun (Feb 2010) (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Eagle and Tun" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eagle and Tun (Feb 2010) (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Below, The Eagle & Tun in late March 2016 after the pub had reopened to the public.

dndimg alt="Eagle & Tun" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eagle and Tun (March 2016) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Eagle & Tun" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eagle and Tun (March 2016) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The Eagle & Tun in late December 2019. Within the next couple of weeks, HS2 had it closed down for good. See my post from January 2020 when I visited the inside of the pub for the first and only time.

dndimg alt="Eagle & Tun" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eagle and Tun (Dec 2019).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

A couple of days before the National Lockdown came into force in late March 2020, I got my last full photo of the Eagle & Tun on New Canal Street before it would be demolished. In the months that followed the roads would be closed by HS2 for Enabling Works.

dndimg alt="Eagle & Tun" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eagle and Tun (March 2020) A.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

By October 2020, I was aware of The Eagle & Tun undergoing demolition. I took this series of photos from New Canal Street on Sunday 4th October 2020. Until then, I wasn't sure if I could walk up New Canal Street, what with the road being closed to cars. But it seems it is open to pedestrians. At this point only the ground floor remained.

dndimg alt="Eagle & Tun" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eagle and Tun 04102020 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Eagle & Tun" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eagle and Tun 04102020 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Eagle & Tun" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eagle and Tun 04102020 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Eagle & Tun" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eagle and Tun 04102020 (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Eagle & Tun" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eagle and Tun 04102020 (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

One more walk past on the 20th October 2020. Heading from Eastside City Park. Nothing left now. HS2 workers were putting up new hoardings around the site of the pub. I found that you could also walk onto Fazeley Street (the road is closed for roadworks as well but there was access for pedestrians).

dndimg alt="Eagle & Tun" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eagle and Tun 20102020.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown. Can be found on Twitter: ellrbrown.

Superhero and Villains street art around Digbeth and elsewhere in the City

Most of the graffiti street art of superheroes and villains are located in Digbeth. There is some in Southside. Not all the pieces I've seen are still on the wall or hoardings they were painted on. Mostly from Marvel. You can find the Joker from DC in a car park in Digbeth. Plus Judge Dredd is in Zellig Car Park.

2000 AD

JUDGE DREDD

Located in Zellig Car Park. Seen during October 2019. As far as I'm aware these pieces are still there. Painted as part of the High Viz Street Art Festival.

dndimg alt="Judge Dredd" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Custard Factory street art 2019 (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

This piece of Judge Dredd below is by After the Robot Apocalypse.

dndimg alt="Judge Dredd" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Zellig Car Park Judge Dredd (Oct 2019).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

JUDGE CASSANDRA ANDERSON

dndimg alt="Judge Anderson" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Zellig Car Park Judge Anderson (Oct 2019).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

PSI ANDERSON DIVISION

dndimg alt="PSI Anderson Division" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Zellig Car Park PSI Div (Oct 2019).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

DC Comics

TWO FACE AND THE JOKER FROM THE DARK KNIGHT (2008).

Located at The Paper Mill Digbeth in a car park off Allison Street in Digbeth. Seen in September 2019, it should still be there now. Two Face looks like ex PM David Cameron. Joker is obviously the late Heath Ledger in the Batman movie.

dndimg alt="Joker" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Two Face Joker Digbeth (Sept 2019).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

MARVEL

CAPTAIN AMERICA

This piece by the Forty Eights was seen in Digbeth near some wasteland from High Street Bordesley back in August 2011. It is still there. Seems to me to combine The Terminator T800 endoskeleton in a Captain America costume. This land has sometimes been used as a second hand car dealership.

dndimg alt="Captain America" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Captain America Terminator Digbeth (Aug 2011).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

There used to be another Captain America piece in Lower Trinity Street Car Park in Digbeth. Seen during February 2015, I think this has long since been painted over. Had a K instead of an A on the top of the helmet. Possibly painted for the City of Colours in 2014.

dndimg alt="Captain America" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Captain America (Feb 2015).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

IRON MAN

Located in Digbeth Court Car Park. Seen during May 2019. It is still on that wall. It is visible from High Street Bordesley from the buses in and out of the City Centre. Same artwork style as Wolverine. Credited artist seems to be Ziah.

dndimg alt="Iron Man" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Iron Man Digbeth Court Car Park (May 2019) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

But was tags CRZ and VOID on either side of Iron Man.

dndimg alt="Iron Man" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Iron Man Digbeth Court Car Park (May 2019) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

WOLVERINE

This was located in a wasteland in Acocks Green near the Warwick Road. Painted around the time that Stan Lee passed away. Seen in November 2018, it is no longer there. But at the time was visible from Olton Boulevard East.

dndimg alt="Wolverine" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Wolverine Acocks Green (Nov 2018).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Back to Digbeth for this Wolverine street art. First spotted it in September 2019 on Milk Street.

dndimg alt="Wolverine" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Wolverine Milk St Digbeth (Sept 2019).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

It was still there in March 2020 before the lockdown happened. Next to a Hoakser piece.

dndimg alt="Wolverine" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Wolverine Milk St Digbeth (March 2020).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

This piece below was a bit like Wolverine combined with Mickey Mouse, if Wolverine was played by Mel Gibson. The USA flag with Marvel all over it. Years before Disney bought 20th Century Fox. Seen in Lower Trinity Street Car Park back in Sepember 2015. It is no longer on that wall. Was also Captain America's shields.

dndimg alt="Wolverine" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Mickey Mouse Wolverine (Sept 2015).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

SPIDER-MAN

The Marvel Playstation 4 Spider-Man mural located in Lower Trinity Street Car Park (now called Custard Factory Car Park). Seen during September 2018. Painted by the artist Jim Vision for the Hi Viz Festival. This might still be there, but was a Peaky Blinders banner over it in 2019, but I think it's still there.

dndimg alt="Spider-Man" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Lower Trinity St Digbeth SpiderMan (Sept 2018).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Gent 48 painted this Spider-Man on the former Chinese Herbal Medicine & Health Care at 31 Smallbrook Queensway in Southside. It was there in March 2020, but Gent has painted over it with something else. It looks like the Miles Morales version of Spider-Man.

dndimg alt="Spider-Man" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/SpiderMan Gent48 Smallbrook Qway (March 2020).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

DOCTOR DOOM

The super villain from the Fantastic Four was on the hoardings on High Street Deritend near Zellig Car Park and the Custard Factory in Digbeth during September 2019. Painted at the time for the High Viz Street Culture Festival. It is no longer there, and has been painted over a few times since with something else.

dndimg alt="Dr Doom" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dr Doom Custard Factory (Sept 2019).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

BLACK PANTHER

The late Chadwick Boseman as Black Panther. Seen near the top of Hurst Street in Southside during October 2020. Painted for the B-Side Hip Hop Festival 2020, also for the Black Lives Matter movement. Chadwick sadly died in August 2020 of Colon Cancer, aged 43.

dndimg alt="Black Panther" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BSide Hurst St Southside (Oct 2020) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

STAN LEE

The late great Stan Lee. Located on a wall on Barford Street in Digbeth, behind the former Birmingham Wholesale Market. Painted for the B-Side Hip Hop Festival 2020 and seen during October 2020. EXCELSIOR! Stan THE MAN Lee died during November 2018, aged 95. He famously made cameos in many Marvel movies over the years.

dndimg alt="Stan Lee" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BSide Barford St Digbeth (Oct 2020) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown.

Forward in Unity by Gent 48 on Meriden Street, Digbeth

While I've been aware of this Gent 48 street art in Digbeth, I wasn't able to travel into the City Centre until I could go on the bus again. With my pass sorted for a 4 week period, I got the bus up to Digbeth, and made my way to Meriden Street. Initally thought it was on Allison Street but couldn't see it there. Behind an old snooker club. Gates locked so took from pavement.

Forward in Unity by Gent 48

It has been around 4 months since I was last able to travel to Digbeth. And many things have changed since then. The street art is mostly the same.

Foka Wolf has done a Love NHS heart at the Custard Factory.

dndimg alt="Love NHS" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Love NHS Custard Factory (July 2020).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Meanwhile famed Birmingham street artist Gent 48 (known for his murals all over Digbeth and Southside) was commissioned to paint Forward in Unity.

It is located on Meriden Street, and an open area just behind a snooker club. Never noticed it before as there used to be billboards on this side.

The gates were locked on Saturday 18th July 2020, so I got these 7 photos (below) from the pavement. I will leave the photos to do the talking.

Thank you NHS and thank you to all keyworkers. Stay alert. Wear a face covering on public transport (and shops from the 24th July 2020).

dndimg alt="Forward in Unity" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gent48 Forward in Unity (July 2020) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Forward in Unity" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gent48 Forward in Unity (July 2020) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Forward in Unity" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gent48 Forward in Unity (July 2020) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Forward in Unity" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gent48 Forward in Unity (July 2020) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Forward in Unity" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gent48 Forward in Unity (July 2020) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Forward in Unity" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gent48 Forward in Unity (July 2020) (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Forward in Unity" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gent48 Forward in Unity (July 2020) (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Also check out Gent 48's murals around the Chinese Quarter and Southside including a recent one in Bath Passage.

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown. Thanks for all the followers.

 

A look around Zellig at the Custard Factory over the years

For many years now part of the Custard Factory has been called Zellig. Inside is various businesses and shops. As well as art fixtures. There used to be a pond in the middle of the square, but think that's gone now. Recent changes including the "Only in Digbeth" parts. You can pass through from Gibb Street to the Zellig Car Park. Would be nice one day to get up on the roof.

ZELLIG

My earliest photos around Digbeth and the Custard Factory were taken during October 2009. I think that this was before the area became known as Zellig. Here there used to be a big pond in the square, near The City is a Work of Art. On the right used to be Factory Kitchen.

dndimg alt="Zellig" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Zellig Custard Factory (Oct 2009) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This view looking up at the Custard Factory, painted white and the windows.

dndimg alt="Zellig" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Zellig Custard Factory (Oct 2009) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Also seen during this October 2009 visit was a sculpture of a Dragon on the wall. Made in 1993 by Tawny Gray. Was scaffolding to the right at the time.

dndimg alt="Zellig" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Zellig art perm (Oct 2009).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The first time I got a photo inside of the Zellig public area inside was during July 2015. All these white tubes going up to the roof. A bit like the game KerPlunk. This is called Chaos by Philip Watts, There are bridges up there. Now how does a member of the public that doesn't work there get up, can the Custard Factory give us photographers access, including up on the roof?

dndimg alt="Zellig" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Zellig Custard Factory (July 2015).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

My first photo of this hanging sculpture taken during July 2015. The Deluge by Toin Adams made in 2010.

dndimg alt="The Deluge" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Zellig art perm (July 2015) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Also a sculpture of a Lion. Artist and year made unknown.

dndimg alt="The Deluge" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Zellig art perm (July 2015) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This view from April 2016 near the pond that used to be there. Towards The City is a Work of Art.

dndimg alt="Zellig" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Zellig Custard Factory (April 2016).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

By April 2018, this area at Zellig was now a square without a pond. And I saw the TARDIS from Doctor Who. Police Box Public Call. Had the 13th Doctor landed? Behind to the left was Alfie Birds. They were in the process of regenerating the buildings.

dndimg alt="Zellig" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Zellig Custard Factory (April 2018).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Yellow hoardings with the Only In Digbeth hashtag seen during August 2018. Thinks were changing here.

dndimg alt="Zellig" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Zellig Custard Factory (August 2018).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A Christmas Tree seen in the Zellig square during December 2018. To the right was the TARDIS from Doctor Who. Work still being done on the Only in Digbeth alterations.

dndimg alt="Zellig" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Zellig Custard Factory (Dec 2018).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

By October 2019 the Only in Digbeth works were complete. On this side was The Crib and Stag Digbeth - Coffee / Bar / Barbers and Cocktails.

dndimg alt="Zellig" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Zellig Custard Factory (Oct 2019) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Another look at Chaos by Philip Watts. Shop below called Wayland's Forge.

dndimg alt="Zellig" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Zellig Custard Factory (Oct 2019) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

One of the new looking entrances to Zellig during November 2019. Industrious, Individual, In it Together, #OnlyinDigbeth.

dndimg alt="Zellig" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Zellig Custard Factory (Nov 2019) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Same thing again, but a close up look at the sign.

dndimg alt="Zellig" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Zellig Custard Factory (Nov 2019) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

During December 2019 towards the Zellig Reception and Shops. Saw this pair of Christmas trees along with the decorations. Chaos is seen behind. The Deluge is above (by Toin Adams).

dndimg alt="Zellig" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Zellig Custard Factory (Dec 2019).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

In January 2020, I met up with Karl Newton for a Brumtography meet at Ghetto Golf. While there had a look around Zellig again. Looking up to the domed glass roof. Bit like a crystal from the Crystal Maze.

dndimg alt="Zellig" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Zellig Custard Factory (Jan 2020) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A piano. There was an exhibition on the walls around here by Lisk Bot.

dndimg alt="Zellig" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Zellig Custard Factory (Jan 2020) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Some more views of Chaos by Philip Watts. Somehow it holds up those walkway bridges.

dndimg alt="Zellig" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Zellig Custard Factory (Jan 2020) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

There looks to be about three levels up there.

dndimg alt="Zellig" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Zellig Custard Factory (Jan 2020) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

5 years after I last got a photo of this sculpture, I got a much better photo of The Deluge by Toin Adams (2010). Just look up when you are around there.

dndimg alt="The Deluge" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Zellig art perm (Jan 2020).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

At Zellig during February 2020. This time meeting Karl again for the Roxy Ballroom meet. NQ64 Arcade Bar. We wont be doing a Brumtography meet here, as they want too much money, and wont let us do it for free, which is shame. So for now, this would be the closest I could get to it.

dndimg alt="Zellig" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Zellig Custard Factory (Feb 2020).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown. Now at 1,100 followers. Thank you.

Birmingham We Are People with Passion award winner 2020

Roxy Ballroom on Heath Mill Lane in Digbeth

The entertainment / culture venues around Digbeth continue to open. Roxy Ballroom is at 58-60 Heath Mill Lane (around the corner from the Custard Factory). Has a bowling alley, pool tables, ping pong tables and shuffleboard. There was also some basketball games and vintage arcade video game machines too. Also they do Flatbread Pizza and have a bar / cocktails. Look for the Ozzy Osbourne!

Another Brumtography meet in Digbeth. This one at the newly opened Roxy Ballroom on Heath Mill Lane. Before it was a bowling alley, this building used to be occupied by McLeman Forklift Services Ltd. Their offices were next door to the left where Birdies is now. To the right is now Drop Shot (that building was formerly occupied by B & K Fabrications Ltd). By 2015 that building had Lisk Bot art on it.

Back to Roxy Ballroom. Thanks once again to Karl Newton for organising the meet and getting permission from them. Much appreciated.

 

We were a bit early so we headed into what is now called Custard Factory Car Park (I've always called it Lower Trinity Street Car Park). The entrance is on Heath Mill Lane. Checking out the street art, saw this view of Roxy Ballroom. Behind you can see Colmore Gate and Three Snowhill.

dndimg alt="Roxy Ballroom" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Roxy Ballroom Digbeth (Feb 20) ext.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

One of the first things you see when you enter, is this mural of Ozzy Osbourne of Black Sabbath fame (it's to the right of the bowling alley). Get well soon Ozzy (he has been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease). There are various pieces of street art around with the names of various bands / groups).

dndimg alt="Roxy Ballroom" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Roxy Ballroom Digbeth (Feb 20) Ozzy Osbourne.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Bowling Alley

When we first went in, they had the normal lights on, so the lanes looked all yellow. Shortly they would turn off the normal lights with only the red and blue lights keeping the lanes lit.

dndimg alt="Roxy Ballroom" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Roxy Ballroom Digbeth (Feb 20) BA (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

This is what the Roxy Ballroom bowling alley looks like with the normal lights turned off. Hashtag at the back #DigbethBallers.

dndimg alt="Roxy Ballroom" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Roxy Ballroom Digbeth (Feb 20).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The view from the first floor balcony, up here is pool tables, but you can enjoy watching the bowling while having a drink and food.

dndimg alt="Roxy Ballroom" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Roxy Ballroom Digbeth (Feb 20) BA (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Used one of the Creative effects filters on my camera for this photo.

dndimg alt="Roxy Ballroom" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Roxy Ballroom Digbeth (Feb 20) BA (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Three lanes were open for us, so we of course tried bowling (for free) and at the same time attempting to take photos. Bit hard at first getting gutter balls. I later came back to the lane on the right and did a bit better (bowling skills that I've had for decades, but don't go that often any more).

dndimg alt="Roxy Ballroom" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Roxy Ballroom Digbeth (Feb 20) BA (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Another view from the top There is 10 lanes in total. Lane One is to the far left, while Lane Ten is to the far right.

dndimg alt="Roxy Ballroom" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Roxy Ballroom Digbeth (Feb 20) BA (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Pool

Up to the first floor mezzanine area where you will find the pool tables. They also have a couple of Shuffleboard tables and one Ping Pong Table. Customers can also watch the bowling from above while having a drink.

dndimg alt="Roxy Ballroom" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Roxyball Room Digbeth (Feb 20) Pool (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Initially the pool cues were laid out like this. Ozzy can't decide if he wants to play pool, or go bowling!

dndimg alt="Roxy Ballroom" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Roxyball Room Digbeth (Feb 20) Pool (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Later Karl lined balls 1 to 15 up in a line for some photos.

dndimg alt="Roxy Ballroom" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Roxyball Room Digbeth (Feb 20) Pool (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

From the other side.

dndimg alt="Roxy Ballroom" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Roxyball Room Digbeth (Feb 20) Pool (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Karl lined up the balls for a shot, and hit the white ball with his Pool cue.

dndimg alt="Roxy Ballroom" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Roxyball Room Digbeth (Feb 20) Pool (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Action shot as the white ball hits all the coloured pool balls.

dndimg alt="Roxy Ballroom" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Roxyball Room Digbeth (Feb 20) Pool (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Shuffleboard

Also up here was a game called Shuffleboard, or Shufl.

dndimg alt="Roxy Ballroom" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Roxy Ballroom Digbeth (Feb 20) Shufl (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

They have two of these long tables laid out.

dndimg alt="Roxy Ballroom" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Roxy Ballroom Digbeth (Feb 20) Shufl (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

View of Shufl from one of the pool tables.

dndimg alt="Roxy Ballroom" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Roxy Ballroom Digbeth (Feb 20) Shufl (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

And close up. I didn't see the discs on here.

dndimg alt="Roxy Ballroom" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Roxy Ballroom Digbeth (Feb 20) Shufl (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Ping Pong

They have two Ping Pong (table tennis) tables at Roxy Ballroom. The first one was on the ground floor, on the left side of the bowling alley, just beyond the four vintage video game arcade machines.

dndimg alt="Roxy Ballroom" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Roxy Ballroom Digbeth (Feb 20) Ping Pong (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The second Ping Pong table was upstairs near the pool tables. To the left of the stairs (above the main entrance).

dndimg alt="Roxy Ballroom" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Roxy Ballroom Digbeth (Feb 20) Ping Pong (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Roxy Ball Room written onto the side of the Ping Pong table. I've always known it as table tennis.

dndimg alt="Roxy Ballroom" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Roxy Ballroom Digbeth (Feb 20) Ping Pong (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Found a Ping Pong ball on a pool table. I put the Pool cues into an X shape. X marks the spot. And placed the Ping Pong ball below. At this point I didn't know that Karl took a tray of Pool balls upstairs.

dndimg alt="Roxy Ballroom" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Roxy Ballroom Digbeth (Feb 20) Ping Pong (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The only time I handled the Pool cue was for this shot with the white Ping Pong ball (pretending that it was a white Pool cue ball.

dndimg alt="Roxy Ballroom" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Roxy Ballroom Digbeth (Feb 20) Ping Pong (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photobooth and NBA Game Time

First game you see as you head in from Heath Mill Lane is NBA Game Time. A basketball game. On the left is a Photobooth which you can use to take group photos. Looks like a tight squeeze!

dndimg alt="Roxy Ballroom" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Roxy Ballroom Digbeth (Feb 20) NBA (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

This view from the bowling alley towards the Photobooth and NBA Game Time. To the right is the Games Desk where you get your bowling shoes, and also Pool balls. Further to the right is the bar. You can also order your pizza from there (I would assume).

dndimg alt="Roxy Ballroom" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Roxy Ballroom Digbeth (Feb 20) NBA (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Zoom in to Photobooth and NBA Game Time when the left Basketball hoop was red and the right was blue.

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This section represents the NBA team the Chicago Bulls.

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This one represents the NBA team the New York Knicks.

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Vintage Video Game Arcade Machines

These arcade machines are straight out of the 1980s or 1990s. They are to the left of the Bowling Alley. Four machines in total.

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Left to right: Pac-Man, Leisure 2000, Hyper Sports and Burgertime.

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Zoom in of the Pac-Man machine.

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Hyper Sports.

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Burgertime.

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Games Desk and Bar

The bar where you can order your drinks including Cocktails. Also you can order Flatbread Pizza here (and I'm sure probably other snacks / food).

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The bar towards the Games Desk. This end though is the empty glasses and bottles, waiting to be served.

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Entrance to Roxy Ballroom to the left (from Heath Mill Lane). The stairs to the left leads up to the floor with the Pool tables, Ping Pong and Shuffleboard tables.

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At the Games Desk, switch your shoes for bowling shoes. If you are playing Pool upstairs, they will give you your Pool balls. Ping Pong rackets and balls on the top shelf. Also what looks like paper cups.

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The neon sign for Games Desk and the line of seven lights down the bar.

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Behind the bar, staff will serve you your drink, and from this position, hand out your bowling shoes etc.

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For my previous Custard Factory related post, click here for Ghetto Golf: Ghetto Golf at the Custard Factory.

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown.

Birmingham We Are People with Passion award winner 2020